Gardening reflects the character and spirit of its historical practitioners
Visual portraits and personal memoirs preserve the living spirit of historical gardeners far better than cold historical records alone. From ancient Roman estates to French royal orchards, cultivating plants has united philosophers, monarchs, and poets in a shared pursuit of tranquility and health. Lord Bacon called a garden the purest of human pleasures, while writers from Charlemagne to Voltaire found solace in rural labors. Collecting these lives honors those whose quiet, honest efforts enriched human culture.
PREFACE.
